Marking its first off-site event, Pampanga State University (Pampanga State U), through its Training Services Office (TSO) and in partnership with Q Software Research Corporation (QSR), hosted Google Philippines' first technology celebration in an academic institution. The event was held at the University Hostel on November 17, 2025.

“We were informed that this is the first Google Fest that was conducted outside Google. This means we are the first, and you are the first participants of that activity initiated by QSR with Google Philippines outside its facilities,” said Dr. Ranie Canlas, Pampanga State U’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, Training and Extension.

Dr. Canlas also expressed his gratitude to QSR for choosing the university as the event venue, noting the unique prestige of the occasion.

The event featured interactive booths, a plenary discussion on Google Workspace, and a question-and-answer session.

Participants from various schools, as well as Pampanga State U faculty and staff from different offices and campuses, actively enjoyed the activities.

One of the resource speakers, Gary Garcia, a Google for Education Certified Educator and Innovator, talked about Gemini, Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant, and its impact in revolutionizing teaching and learning through different tools, emphasizing their potential to boost both educator efficiency and student creativity.

“Maraming mga rumors about AI - may mga positive and negative. But, it depends on how you use the tool that will make it good or bad. Google design Gemini wherein it will not just give you an answer, It will give you a follow-up question based on your question,” Garcia mentioned.

“Hindi po siya basta bibigay na ng sagot. Tuturuan kayong mag-isip, which is needed by the generation of today,” he added.

Also present during the event were TSO Director Dr. Dynah D. Soriano together with the TSO Center Managers Dr. Annabelle Hernandez, Aileen De Leon, Jacqueline Magno, and Jennifer Baluyut.

Meanwhile, QSR was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Romina Sabado, and staff, along with Engr. Jonathan Solis, the Pampanga Provincial Head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

This event serves as a powerful display of industry-academe collaboration, bringing Google's cutting-edge technologies directly to the heart of Central Luzon and furthering regional tech innovation.

Photo credits: Public and Media Affairs Unit

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